St. Martin’s Day crescent rolls – a pre-Advent tradition pastry from Europe we want to introduce you

11. 7. 2024

There are several pre-Advent traditions in Europe.

Some of them are old and from pre-Christian times. Feast of St. Martin is one of them.

During ancient Greece and Rome, it was the celebration of the god Bacchus/Dionysos. Celebration of the harvest, young wine, and preparation for the Winter. During the Middle Ages and Christianization, it took a more religious pattern. There are several myths and legends bound with the person of St. Martin.

Because he was a Roman soldier–horseman, his typical symbol is horseshoes (although some ethnologists think they are the horns of the god Bacchus). Food traditions for the feast include baked goose or duck, sweet rolls filled with poppy seeds and walnuts, or baked sweet brioches shaped like geese.

We want to present our sourdough version of St. Martin’s rolls – horseshoes with poppy seed or walnut filling. Lightly dusted with powdered sugar, they resemble the season’s first snow.

The tradition of St. Martin’s rolls

When we speak about the feast of St. Martin, most Europeans think of the saying that St. Martin arrives on a white horse.

It is precisely Martin’s rolls whose shape refers to the horseshoes of Martin’s horse.

The feast of St. Martin is a well-celebrated tradition in many European countries. It is a day linked to various customs and rituals.

Historically, it was associated with pilgrimages, consecrations, and markets, making it a significant event in the community. It was also an important day for householders, servants, and other professionals.

Traditionally, on the feast of St. Martin, the contracted service usually ended, and the landlord paid them a salary and possibly extended the contract. If not, the servants had to find a new landlord. On this occasion, the housekeeper gave the family St. Martin’s rolls, a type of pastry with a fascinating history.

The original recipes for St. Martin’s rolls were made from yeast dough and filled with poppy seeds or walnuts. In addition, this pastry served as a reward for the carolers who came to the Martin carol.

Over time, many delicious variants of the traditional recipe have emerged. In addition to the classic fillings, St. Martin’s rolls can also be filled with cottage cheese or jam.

Another popular variation is the unleavened version of the dough, which has gained popularity recently. It’s a wonderful and delicious tradition that brings communities together in celebration.

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